Migraine Treatment in Santa Clarita

Comprehensive evaluation and treatment of migraine and chronic headache disorders, led by board-certified neurologist Dr. Thomas Kurian, MD — close to home in Santa Clarita.

Migraine CareBotox for Chronic MigraineCGRP TherapyTelemedicine Follow-UpSanta Clarita, CA

Adults & Teens

Migraine Evaluations

Botox Available

For Chronic Migraine

CGRP Therapy

When Appropriate

Telemedicine

Statewide Follow-Up

overview

Care that feels clear and personal

Migraine is a neurological disorder, not just a bad headache. We take it seriously — and we take the time to understand your specific pattern, triggers, and goals so the treatment plan actually fits your life.

What we cover during a migraine visit

A first migraine visit at Los Angeles Neurosciences is a thorough conversation followed by a focused neurological examination. We talk through how your headaches feel, where they are located, how long they last, what symptoms come with them, what may set them off, and what has and has not worked. We also review your medical history, family history of headache, sleep patterns, stress, hormonal factors for women, and current medications — including how often you are using over-the-counter pain relievers, which can sometimes contribute to medication-overuse headache.

Building a treatment plan that actually fits

Effective migraine care almost always combines two layers: an acute (abortive) medication to take when an attack starts, and — when migraines are frequent or disabling — a preventive medication taken regularly to reduce attacks before they happen. We also discuss non-pharmacologic strategies, including a headache diary, sleep regularization, hydration, caffeine management, and identifying personal triggers.

Why one-size-fits-all doesn't work

The right treatment depends on your migraine pattern, your other medical conditions, your other medications, and your preferences. A 24-year-old with two debilitating migraines a month and a young family needs a different plan than a 58-year-old with frequent headaches and a history of cardiovascular disease. We explain the trade-offs of each option clearly so you can make an informed choice.

defining the condition

What migraine actually is

Plain-language definitions of the migraine terms you will hear in our office.

Migraine

A primary neurological disorder marked by recurrent attacks of moderate-to-severe head pain, frequently on one side, often pulsating, and typically lasting 4 to 72 hours. Attacks are commonly accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and sensitivity to light, sound, or smells.

Aura

Reversible neurological symptoms — most often visual (flashing lights, zigzag lines, blind spots), but sometimes sensory (numbness, tingling) or speech-related — that develop gradually over 5 to 20 minutes and last under an hour. Aura occurs in about 25–30% of people with migraine.

Chronic migraine

15 or more headache days per month for more than 3 months, with at least 8 of those days having migraine features. Patients with chronic migraine often benefit from preventive treatments such as Botox or CGRP-targeted therapy.

Episodic migraine

Fewer than 15 headache days per month. Treatment usually focuses on effective acute therapy plus lifestyle and trigger management; preventive medication is added when attacks become frequent or particularly disabling.

Medication-overuse headache

A daily or near-daily headache pattern that develops when acute pain medications are used too frequently — typically more than 10 to 15 days per month. Recognizing and addressing medication overuse is often the first step in regaining control of headache patterns.

Status migrainosus

A debilitating migraine attack that lasts longer than 72 hours despite treatment. This level of persistence usually warrants more aggressive intervention and may require IV therapy or short-term steroid courses.

treatment options

Modern, evidence-based migraine treatment

A short overview of the categories we discuss and prescribe — recommendations are always individualized based on your migraine pattern and overall health.

Acute (abortive) medications

Triptans (sumatriptan, rizatriptan, eletriptan), gepants (rimegepant, ubrogepant), ditans (lasmiditan), NSAIDs, and anti-nausea medications. These are taken at the first sign of an attack to stop it as quickly as possible.

Oral preventives

Beta-blockers (propranolol, metoprolol), candesartan, topiramate, valproate, tricyclics (amitriptyline, nortriptyline), and magnesium or riboflavin for select patients. Taken daily to reduce attack frequency.

CGRP-targeted therapy

Injectable CGRP monoclonal antibodies (erenumab, fremanezumab, galcanezumab, eptinezumab) and oral gepants (rimegepant for prevention, atogepant) — a newer class developed specifically for migraine, often well tolerated.

Botox for chronic migraine

OnabotulinumtoxinA injections every 12 weeks at fixed sites around the head and neck. FDA-approved for chronic migraine (≥15 headache days/month). Most patients see improvement after the second or third cycle.

Neuromodulation devices

External, non-medication devices that stimulate trigeminal, vagal, or occipital nerves (Cefaly, gammaCore, Nerivio). Reasonable adjuncts for patients who prefer to minimize medication or who have not tolerated other treatments.

Lifestyle and behavioral therapy

Headache diary, sleep regularization, hydration, regular meals, caffeine moderation, trigger identification, biofeedback, cognitive behavioral therapy, and aerobic exercise — all evidence-based components of comprehensive migraine care.

what to expect

Your first migraine visit, step by step

A clear sense of what will happen so you can come in feeling prepared.

Before the visit

Most patients are asked to keep a brief headache diary for at least two weeks before the visit — noting the date, severity (1–10), duration, possible triggers, what medications were taken, and how well they worked. Even a rough record makes the visit more useful. We will also ask you to bring a current medication list, including over-the-counter pain relievers and any vitamins or supplements.

During the visit

Expect a focused conversation about your headache pattern and a brief neurological examination, including a check of cranial nerves, motor strength, sensation, reflexes, coordination, and balance. In some patients, brain imaging (MRI) may be recommended — particularly if there are red-flag features such as a sudden onset, a new headache type later in life, focal neurological signs, or a significant change in pattern.

After the visit

You will leave with a clear written plan: what acute medication to take and when, whether a preventive medication is being started and how to titrate it, lifestyle suggestions, when to follow up, and when to call sooner. Many patients can do follow-ups by telemedicine.

red flags

When a headache is a medical emergency

Most migraines are benign. These features are different — they should prompt urgent or emergency evaluation rather than a routine appointment.

Thunderclap headache

A sudden, severe headache that reaches maximum intensity in seconds and feels like the worst headache of your life. This can indicate a subarachnoid hemorrhage and requires emergency evaluation.

Headache with neurological signs

Weakness, numbness, slurred speech, vision loss, confusion, or seizure during or after a headache. Call 911 or go to the emergency department right away — these can be signs of stroke or other urgent conditions.

Headache with fever and stiff neck

This combination can indicate meningitis or encephalitis and should be evaluated as an emergency.

Post-trauma headache

A new or worsening headache after a head injury, especially with confusion, vomiting, or loss of consciousness.

New headache after age 50

A new headache pattern in someone over 50 or with a history of cancer, immune suppression, or HIV deserves prompt evaluation rather than waiting for a routine visit.

Headache during pregnancy

A new severe headache in pregnancy or postpartum — especially with vision changes or high blood pressure — needs urgent evaluation for preeclampsia, cerebral venous thrombosis, or other pregnancy-related causes.

frequently asked questions

Common questions from migraine patients

Plain-language answers to questions we hear every week — these are also marked up as structured FAQ data so they can appear in search results and AI summaries.

What is the difference between a migraine and a tension headache?

A migraine is a neurological disorder, not just a bad headache. Migraines are typically moderate to severe, throbbing, often one-sided, and accompanied by nausea, vomiting, or sensitivity to light and sound. They commonly last from 4 to 72 hours and frequently disrupt work, sleep, or daily activities. Tension headaches, by contrast, usually feel like a band of pressure on both sides of the head, are mild to moderate, and are not usually accompanied by nausea or sensitivity. Migraines respond to specific migraine medications; tension headaches often respond to over-the-counter pain relievers.

What is chronic migraine and how is it different from episodic migraine?

Chronic migraine is defined by the International Classification of Headache Disorders as 15 or more headache days per month, with at least 8 of those days having migraine features, for more than 3 months. Episodic migraine is fewer than 15 headache days per month. Chronic migraine often qualifies for additional treatments such as Botox injections and CGRP-targeted therapies, which are typically not first-line for episodic migraine.

Do you offer Botox for chronic migraine in Santa Clarita?

Yes. Dr. Kurian offers OnabotulinumtoxinA (Botox) injections for chronic migraine in our Santa Clarita office for appropriate patients. Botox is FDA-approved for chronic migraine (15 or more headache days per month) when other preventive treatments have not provided adequate relief. Treatment involves a series of small injections around the head and neck given every 12 weeks, and most patients begin to notice benefit after the second or third treatment cycle.

What are CGRP inhibitors and are they an option here?

CGRP inhibitors are a newer class of migraine medications that target calcitonin gene-related peptide, a key player in migraine pain. They include monoclonal antibodies given by monthly or quarterly injection (such as erenumab, fremanezumab, galcanezumab, and eptinezumab) and oral gepants for both prevention and acute treatment. These medications are often well tolerated and represent the first migraine-specific preventive class developed in decades. Dr. Kurian discusses CGRP options with patients whose migraines have not responded adequately to standard therapy.

What lifestyle changes can help reduce migraine frequency?

Consistent sleep, regular meals, hydration, stress management, and identification of personal triggers (which may include red wine, aged cheeses, processed meats, MSG, certain artificial sweeteners, hormonal changes, weather shifts, or skipping meals) can reduce migraine frequency for many patients. A headache diary tracking timing, severity, possible triggers, and response to treatment is one of the most useful tools we use during your visit.

When should a headache prompt an emergency-room visit?

Seek emergency evaluation right away for any headache that is the worst of your life or comes on suddenly like a thunderclap, a headache associated with fever and stiff neck, a headache after a head injury, a headache with new neurological symptoms such as weakness, confusion, vision loss, slurred speech, or seizure, or a new headache pattern in someone over 50 or with a history of cancer, immunosuppression, or HIV. These features can signal something more urgent than migraine.

Can a child or teenager have migraines?

Yes. Pediatric and adolescent migraines are common and often present differently from adult migraines — children's migraines may be shorter (1 to 2 hours), bilateral rather than one-sided, and frequently include abdominal pain or motion sickness. Dr. Kurian is board-certified in adult and pediatric neurology and sees children and teens for migraine evaluation in our Santa Clarita office.

Can I see Dr. Kurian for migraine follow-up by telemedicine?

Yes. After an in-person evaluation, many migraine follow-up visits — for medication adjustments, treatment response review, or planning — can be done by telemedicine for patients anywhere in California. Botox injections and other in-office procedures must of course be done in our Santa Clarita office.

Local migraine care in Santa Clarita

Los Angeles Neurosciences is located at 23861 McBean Parkway, Suite E-12, Santa Clarita, CA 91355. We see migraine patients of all ages — adults, teens, and children — and we work hard to keep wait times short and visits unhurried.

For appropriate situations, telemedicine follow-up is also available throughout California — particularly useful for medication titration and check-ins between in-person visits. To ask about new patient appointments or expedited visits, call (661) 857-7100.

Care is delivered by Dr. Thomas Kurian, M.D., who is certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology. View Healthgrades profile.

before scheduling

Quick questions? Call us first.

Many patients call before scheduling — wanting to know whether their concern is appropriate for our practice, what insurance we accept, or how to send records in advance. Our front desk is happy to walk through any of that. We are open Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM (closed for lunch 12:30 to 1:30 PM) at (661) 857-7100, or send a message through the contact form at any time. Same-day or expedited visits are sometimes available for urgent neurological concerns — please let the front desk know what is happening so we can do our best to fit you in. For new patients, please have your insurance information, primary care physician's name, and a brief description of your concern ready when you call. We verify benefits in advance so there are no surprises at check-in. Existing patients can also reach us through the patient portal for non-urgent questions between visits.